Why Eagles traded up, and why Cowboys let NFC East rival take their spot for key return originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Teams in the same division don't often make trades with one another, especially not in the NFC East.

But during Thursday's 2026 NFL Draft first round, the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys made a trade with each other.

It was the Cowboys' second trade of the first round. They had previously moved up from 12 to 11 to make sure they could pick Ohio State's Caleb Downs.

The Eagles previously held the 23rd pick, but they traded up to the Dallas slot at No. 20.

Cowboys get: 23rd pick, 114th pick, 137th pick

Philly obviously felt like the player it wanted might not be there three picks later.

Giving up two later-round picks to get there must've felt worth it.

Dallas only had to drop three spots to pick up two later-round picks.

Since the Cowboys gave up two extra picks to move up one spot with the Dolphins, they now have draft pick equilibrium this way.